Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This morning, out of the blue, we learned that the Minister for Finance plans to flog off the remaining shares we own in Bank of Ireland. If we have learned anything from the crash it is that holding on to these shares puts a condition of good behaviour to some extent on the banks.

The Minister has not told us what he is going to do with the shares, so I will ask the Taoiseach directly, for the people of Ireland. It is estimated that €700 million will be raised from the sales. On behalf of the Irish people, what are the Government’s plans for this money if it goes ahead with the sale? Surely the Government is not going to pay down debt but rather use it to solve the housing crisis. Will the Taoiseach outline to us what the Government is going to use the money for? Is it for debt or housing?

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